Kennecott: Mill Building
WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS NATIONAL PARK
The iconic Concentration Mill Building from Kennecott’s copper mining days is still standing after more than 100 years
Concentration Mill Building
The iconic Concentration Mill Building is 14 stories high and largely remains in its original state since it closed in 1938. To preserve the historic feel of the town most of the remaining structures are held in a state of “arrested decay” with structural repairs or renovations only as necessary to keep them from falling down. This makes Kennecott a truly unique and impressive place to visit. No historic mining site on such a grand scale like this exists anywhere else in the world.
Taking a tour through the massive Mill Building is an experience that you’ll never forget and is a must-do for all visitors to the park. The past really comes to life as you walk through the town and its old, weathered buildings.
Daily tours of the Historic Kennecott Mill Town are provided during the summer months (late May - early September).
Views from the top entrance of the mill building. The tram cables that carried the ore buckets into the building are clearly visible.
NOTE: The door is locked and can only be accessed on the historical tour.
CAUTION: The hillside surrounding the building contains potentially dangerous materials and is clearly marked with signs and barricades. DO NOT attempt to cross the barricades for your safety. Doing so could result in a fine by the National Park Service.
The views from the top floor of the mill building give a bird’s eye view of the town and the glacier below.
The inner workings reveal how copper moved from floor to floor and machine to machine.
Low head clearance in many areas require visitors to wear protective hard hats.
There are many staircases between the floors and some are quite narrow and steep.
Much of the old machinery still rests in the building.
Even on a warm, sunny summer day the building can be rather dark and cold. Be sure to wear warm clothing.
The name plates on the machines tell a fascinating tale of the great distances they had to travel to get to this remote Alaskan wilderness town.
You’ll have a difficult time leaving each floor during the tour. There are so many artifacts to see and sort through that you can’t possibly explore them all.